Ukraine: politics has nothing to do with DSS cooperation

There is no political background in Antonov’s cooperation with Dneprospetsstal (DSS), main shareholders of which are Russian, said Ukroboronprom general director Roman Romanov.

“This is a Ukrainian company, it’s located here, it pays taxes to Ukraine, it employs Ukrainians”, he said.

According to him, Russians control half of Ukrainian industrial companies.

He added that Antonov and Ukroboronprom were already working with DSS – buying special alloys, but refused to name contract terms.

Dneprospetsstal is the only Ukrainian manufacturer of special steel grade forgings and bars (stainless, tool, bearing, structural, etc.).

According to the DSS statement, as of the beginning of 2015 its shares were divided among Wenox Holding Ltd (47.11%), Budriko Ltd (11.01%), Gazaro Ltd (16.52%) and Middleprime Limited (9.7902%), all Cyprus-based.

The new shareholders are connected with VS Energy International, among beneficiaries of which are a number of Russian entrepreneurs, including the State Duma deputy Alexandr Babakov. (Ukrainian metal)